Business Development Bank of Canada

DIRECTOR, LEGAL AFFAIRS, SPECIALIZED FINANCING

Business Development Bank of Canada • $150K — $180K *
Toronto, ON M3C 0E3In-Person
Legal & Accounting
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • University degree in law (LL.B./J.D.)
  • Member in good standing of a Canadian provincial bar
  • 10+ years of financial services law experience
  • Expertise in complex transactions including securitization
  • Proven leadership experience managing legal teams
  • Bilingual in English and French, spoken and written
  • Strong analytical and negotiation skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop a team of Senior Legal Counsels
  • Deliver legal oversight on complex financial transactions
  • Negotiate deals to manage risk and maximize value
  • Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations
  • Provide guidance and training to team members
  • Cultivate relationships with internal business units
  • Assist in managing external legal advisors

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional growth and development
  • Collaborative and innovative work environment
  • Engagement with high-stakes financial transactions
  • Support from a dedicated legal team on complex projects
  • Involvement in strategic initiatives and internal projects
Full Job Description
POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director, Legal Affairs, Specialized Financing, leads a team of Senior Legal Counsels dedicated to supporting BDC activities in securitization, syndicated financing, subordinated debt (GTC) as well various community banking and other BDC special projects and initiatives with significant transactional components. Transactions in these fields of practice are specialized, customized, complex and extensively negotiated requiring a high degree of expertise and experience to provide effective business-oriented and risk mitigating legal support. This leadership role requires a high degree of subject matter expertise and relevant experience and the incumbent is responsible for providing operational and managerial oversight and strategic legal guidance for the Specialized Financing legal team. The incumbent of this position will report to the leader of the Investments and Specialized Financing legal team and be part of a wider dedicated legal team supporting BDC's transactional activities, which also includes Investments (venture capital and growth equity).

CHALLENGES TO BE MET

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of specialized Senior Legal Counsels, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and high performance.
  • Be a subject matter expert in highly technical and complex financial services transactions and structures.
  • Deliver high-quality legal advice and oversight on complex transactions involving securitization, syndicated financing, subordinated debt as well as special projects and initiatives, including with community banking.
  • Structure and negotiate deals to minimize risk and maximize value for BDC and its clients.
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
  • Provide coaching, training, and guidance to team members, ensuring professional growth, engagement and high performance.
  • Build strong relationships with internal business units and corporate functions to ensure alignment and timely legal support.
  • Advise business partners on anticipated changes in legal requirements affecting their operations.
  • Assist the Investments and Specialized Financing team leader in management of relationships with external legal advisors, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with BDC's strategic objectives.
  • Assist the Investments and Specialized Financing team leader in driving process improvements and contribute to the development of legal frameworks and best practices for specialized financing activities.
  • Lead legal negotiations in high-stakes, complex transactions involving securitization, syndicated financing, subordinated debt and other BDC special projects and initiatives.
  • Balance risk management with business agility in a fast-paced financing environment.
  • Support strategic initiatives and internal projects with legal insight and leadership.


WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

  • University degree in law (LL.B./J.D.).
  • Member in good standing of the bar of a Canadian province
  • At least 10 years of relevant experience in financial services law, with deep expertise in complex transactions and financing structures, including securitization, syndicated financing, subordinated debt and other special projects.
  • Proven leadership experience in managing legal teams and external counsel.
  • Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
  • Ability to influence and gain credibility with senior stakeholders.
  • Bilingualism in English and French (spoken and written) is mandatory
  • Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution.
  • Ability to adapt to frequently changing priorities and work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Highly collaborative and strong interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to analyze and synthesize complex and ambiguous information to provide actionable, business-oriented legal advice.
  • Proactive approach and commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.

About Business Development Bank of Canada

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is a federal Crown corporation that provides financing, advisory services, and capital to Canadian businesses. The bank was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. BDC offers a range of financial services, including loans, venture capital, and consulting services. The bank focuses on small and medium-sized businesses, and has a particular emphasis on supporting entrepreneurs and startups. BDC has offices across Canada and works with businesses in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, technology, and services.
Learn more about Business Development Bank of Canada
Size
2,000 employees
Industry
Finance & Insurance
* Ladders Estimates

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